Who doesn't know Dr. Seuss? I've always thought of him as the beloved children's author of Cat in The Hat, Green Eggs and Ham and the many other classics. Recently I was in a gift store and passed a display of small signs with many different quotes. This particular one caught my eye and then I noticed at the end it was attributed to Dr. Seuss. Who knew Dr. Seuss actually said something that made sense and used normal everyday words from the dictionary??I didn't buy the sign but his words would just not leave me. (I've posted the quote on my "inspiring words" widget to the right here.)

For the past forty years I have spent (wasted) enormous amounts of time and energy living in exact opposition of his advice. We always hear people say: "it doesn't matter what others think of you" "if they were really a true friend, etc.............." Blah. Blah. Blah. Living it is an entirely different subject. For most of my adult life I worked overtime to make certain that everyone was always okay with me. I apologized for everything under the sun, worried about how I was perceived by everybody and feared that I was always letting someone down.

Turning forty has been a gift. An epiphany of sorts. You come to the realization that time is so fleeting and start prioritizing life in a way that reflects this quote. For me I've relinquished the reality that I don't have the power to make everyone happy. I can't be all things to all people. And it's not God's call on my life. He has a unique purpose for me and the only one whose approval I need is His. And what's even better: I already have it!

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" Isaiah 43:18-19